*** PHOTO Toulon on your own & Le Petit Train de Toulon (June 4, 2010)***

[daliflor]

We returned from a four nights short cruise on the RCI Adventure of the Seas (left June 3rd from Barcelona, stopping in Toulon, France and then overnight in Ibiza, Spain before returning to Barcelona on June 7th 2010).

 

Many large ships dock now in La Seyne-sur-Mer (and not Toulon, Provence as typically indicated on the itinerary), so I posted some ideas and photos on how to get from La Seyne-sur-Mer to Toulon: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1226994

 

 

Now that you're on Toulon on your own, what can you do with few hours to kill?

 

 

Options are endless, limited probably only by your own will and/or budget: from touring the city of Toulon by foot, walking around careless... to taking a boat trip or a local, cheap ferry to one of the nearby cities or beaches (i.e. Sablettes and the bay of Tamaris or St. Mandrier- a charming little fishing and boating port set right on the peninsula that encloses the port ot Toulon) or the SNCF train to the French Riviera (Cannes, Nice) or Marseille, Cassis etc.

 

There are also local buses that can take you to Bormes-les-Mimosas (a well-known area for this beautiful yellow-flowered tree), Avignon etc.

 

 

First off, I would like to develop on one of the options: taking the tourist little train around the city of Toulon (city situated on the coast halfway between Marseille (50 km) by the A50 and Saint Tropez (50 km) by the A58 or the N98)-

 

Le Petit Train de Toulon

 

Jump on the tourist train on a summer afternoon and the 45 minutes ride is thoroughly enjoyable. It departs from the port/ Waterfront area (in Square Germain Noveau) almost every 30 minutes or so.

 

Cost: 6.00€/adult; 4.00€/kid

 

There are two types of routes that you can choose from (based on your interest; same cost):

 

a). Visit the Naval Base

July-August:10h - 11h - 13h30 - 14h30 - 15h30

 

b). Visit the city and the beaches of Mourillon (Circuit 1)

July-August: 10h30-11h-11h30-12h-13h30-14h-14h30-15h- 15h30-16h-16h30-17h-17h30-18h

 

This Mourillon tour is covering the following itinerary:

Départ sur le port

Avenue de la République

Cours Lafayette

Stade Mayol

Port Marchand

Port de Plaisance

Port Militaire

Arsenal du Mourillon

Pointe de la Mitre

Bathyscaphe

Tour Royale

Port Saint-Louis

Corniche du Mourillon

Fort Saint- Louis

Jardins du Mourillon

Plage Lido

Plage de la Source

Musée Asiatique

Eglise Saint-François de Paule

 

On June 4th 2010, we completed Circuit 1 (Friday afternoon) and it was well worth it.

Below are some photos from that day:

 

The map/itinerary of Circuit 1 of Mourillon beaches (Le Petit Train de Toulon, France)

 

Le Petit Train de Toulon

 

 

Le Petit Train de Toulon

 

The Statue of the Genius of Navigation (called by locals "Cuverville Toulon")

[daliflor]

The ride on Le Petit Train de Toulon - Circuit 1 (Mourillon) continued on Friday afternoon.

 

The walk along the Quai Kronstadt, named after the famous Russian naval base, is closed to traffic.

 

It gives pedestrians a view of sailboats on the harbor and "The Genius of navigation."

 

 

The Statue of the Genius of Navigation

(nicknamed by locals "Cuverville Toulon" because of the direction of the posterior of the statue)

 

 

The statue (3.4 m height) was realized by Louis Joseph Daumas (also known as "Little Puget" in reference to another famous sculptor, Pierre Puget) and over time,

it has been named "Cuverville" or "Genius of the Seas" or "The Man of Bronze."

 

 

 

The Statue of the Genius of Navigation (nicknamed by locals "Cuverville Toulon" )

 

 

 

This statue was built as a tribute to sailors

(or in memory of Vice-Admiral of Cuverville, commander of the fleet of the Mediterranean in 1895)

 

The statue's pedestal, in marble, is decorated with four bronze bas-reliefs executed by Daumas too.

 

 

The Statue of the Genius of Navigation (nicknamed by locals "Cuverville Toulon" )

 

[daliflor]

The ride on Le Petit Train de Toulon - Circuit 1 (Mourillon) continued along the Quai Kronstadt,

giving us a view of sailboats and private yachts on the harbor:

 

 

Toulon is a major town located on the Mediterranean coast to the east of Marseille, in the Var department.

 

 

 

Toulon is situated around a rocky bay, sheltered by limestone relieves of the “Faron”, crowned with ancient fortifications.

 

 

The sheltered position has given rise to a large harbour and Toulon's role as home to the French naval fleet.

 

 

 

Enjoy the harbour bustle from the pavement cafes on Quai Cronstadt, and don’t miss the statues by Pierre Puget, said to be modelled on galley slaves, which adorn the town hall annexe along the quai.

 

[daliflor]

The ride on Le Petit Train de Toulon - Circuit 1 (Mourillon) allowed us to enjoy the harbour bustle

from the pavement cafes and book stores on Quai Kronstadt:

Le Petit Train de Toulon heading towards the famous Avenue de la Republique:

Running along the waterfront, the Avenue de la République

has been completely renovated by the city.

[daliflor]

The ride on Le Petit Train de Toulon - Circuit 1 (Mourillon) allowed us to enjoy views of

the famous Avenue de la République:

 

 

 

 

 

 

On this famous street, Avenue de la République, there are many shops and

various restaurants that will satisfy all tastes.

 

[daliflor]

The ride on Le Petit Train de Toulon - Circuit 1 (Mourillon) continued on the famous

Avenue de la République before entering the Mourillon quarter:

 

 

 

 

 

[daliflor]

The ride on Le Petit Train de Toulon - Circuit 1 (Mourillon) on the Avenue de la République

lead us to the Mourillon quarter.

 

 

 

Look out for the huge wall frescoes that have become so typical of Toulon.

 

If you are interested in Trompe l'Oeil art we suggest to take a look at La Corderie on the walls of the former Hotel du Port on Rue Chevalier Paul (behind Quai Stalingrad near the Naval Museum).

 

The mural represents a workshop for making ropes and sails from the late 19th centuries and on the higher floors shows us the lives of the occupants of this building. It is relatively new, a part of the restoration efforts of the old town. There are other interesting trompe d' oeil murals in the old town, but the one on the Hotel du Port is the largest and considered the best.

 

 

 

 

 

Toulon's story is a bit like Marseille's, only on a smaller scale: industrious, noisy, busy, a melting pot - a wonderful place if you like a vibrant city.

 

There are some interesting places in town and the villages of Mourillon to the east and Saint Mandrier southwest are quite beautiful vacation locations well known to the French.

[daliflor]

The ride on Le Petit Train de Toulon - Circuit 1 (Mourillon) took us to Le Mourillon:

 

 

 

 

 

Seeing our RCI ship "Adventure of the Seas"

(docked in La Seyne-sur-Mer, few miles away across the water)

 

 

RCI ship "Adventure of the Seas"

(docked in La Seyne-sur-Mer, few miles away across the water)

 

[daliflor]

Le Petit Train de Toulon - Circuit 1 (Mourillon) took us to Le Mourillon:

 

 

The scenery is supreme: Toulon is situated between a mountain range topped by Mont Faron and Mont Caume and the Rade de Toulon, a large bay protected from the sea by two peninsulas.

 

Toulon is the major naval port of the French fleet in the Mediterranean.

 

From Quai Stalingrad boat trips take you to the Petite Rade, a trip that includes the arsenal and dry docks.

 

You can have a good look at ships of the French fleet (or rather what's left of it after decades of underinvestment).

 

The arsenal, home of the French Mediterranean fleet, is not open to the public. But you can visit the Musée Naval de la Marine, Naval Museum at the western end of Quai Stalingrad with its impressive doorway.

 

You will be amazed even if you are not into naval history by the remarkable collection of enormous ship models from the 18th century as well as other naval memorabilia, such as figureheads and carvings.

 

 

 

 

RCI ship "Adventure of the Seas" (docked in La Seyne-sur-Mer, few miles away)

 

 

RCI ship "Adventure of the Seas" (docked in La Seyne-sur-Mer, few miles away)

 

 

RCI ship "Adventure of the Seas" (docked in La Seyne-sur-Mer, few miles away)

 

[daliflor]

We continued our ride on Le Petit Train de Toulon - Circuit 1 (Mourillon) around the Arsenal du Mourillon.

Le Mourillon - a small seaside neighborhood to the east of Toulon, near the entrance of the harbour.

It was once a fishing village, and then became the home of many of the officers of the French fleet and to part of the naval dockyard.

 

The construction of the Arsenal, a veritable city within the city of Toulon, carries the fingerprints of Henry IV, Richelieu and Vauban.

Arsenal du Mourillon (Toulon, France - June 4th 2010)

Arsenal du Mourillon (Toulon, France - June 4th 2010)

Porte d'Italie was built by Vauban (Napoleon departed from this gate in 1796 on his Italian campaign).

Beginning in 1678, Vauban constructed an elaborate system of fortifications around Toulon. Some parts, such as the section that once ran along the present-day Boulevard de Strasbourg, were removed in the mid-nineteenth century, so the city could be enlarged, but other parts remain.

[daliflor]

The ride on Le Petit Train de Toulon - Circuit 1 (Mourillon) continued on Friday afternoon around Le Mourillon.

 

Beginning in 1678, Vauban constructed an elaborate system of fortifications around Toulon. Some parts, such as the section that once ran along the present-day Boulevard de Strasbourg, were removed in the mid-nineteenth century, so the city could be enlarged, but other parts remain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[daliflor]

Le Petit Train de Toulon - Circuit 1 (Mourillon) took us to the area of Le Mourillon.

 

 

Beginning in 1678, Vauban constructed an elaborate system of fortifications around Toulon. Some parts, such as the section that once ran along the present-day Boulevard de Strasbourg, were removed in the mid-nineteenth century, so the city could be enlarged, but other parts remain.

 

 

 

 

 

[daliflor]

Our ride on Le Petit Train de Toulon - Circuit 1 (Mourillon) continued in Le Mourillon area.

 

 

 

 

RCI ship "Adventure of the Seas" (docked in La Seyne-sur-Mer, few miles away)

 

 

RCI ship "Adventure of the Seas" (docked in La Seyne-sur-Mer, few miles away)

 

 

 

 

Surrounded by a ring of hills, the city of Toulon offers an impressive panoramic spectacle, especially when viewed from Mount Faron (mountain overlooking the city of Toulon - 584 m high).

 

A trip to Mount Faron or the Corniche, the nearby beach of Mourillon can be a good reason to visit the region around Toulon and perhaps a few cafes and restaurants where you can sample local specialties like

"escabeche de sardine," "la cade" (a cake-based chickpea flour) or the "Chichi-fregi (fried cake).

 

[daliflor]

We're still on Le Petit Train de Toulon - Circuit 1 (Mourillon) in Le Mourillon area.

 

 

 

Le Bathyscaphe (well known because the famous explorer, oceanographer and filmmaker Jacques Yves Cousteau)

 

 

 

[daliflor]

Le Petit Train de Toulon - Circuit 1 (Mourillon) took us to the Tour Royale (also known as La Grosse Tour).

 

Tour Royale is located at the southernmost point on the east side of the harbor entrance, near the base of the long jetty that now closes the harbor. It is a fort built in the 16th century to protect the entrance of the Petit Rade, the naval port of Toulon.

 

 

Tour Royale - first fortification of the harbor, built 22 years after Provence became a part of France; commissioned by King Louis XII and constructed in 1513 by the Italian engineer Gio Anton della Porta.

 

 

Another important artefact in Toulon is the Tour Royale (XVI century), which once exercised the office of prison and now contains a few pieces of artillery.

 

 

 

 

RCI ship "Adventure of the Seas" (docked in La Seyne-sur-Mer, few miles away)

 

[daliflor]

Le Petit Train de Toulon - Circuit 1 (Mourillon), passing by some nice local houses and luxurious vegetation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[daliflor]

Le Petit Train de Toulon - Circuit 1 (Mourillon), passing by some nice local houses and luxurious vegetation.

 

 

 

 

 

[12sunflowers]

Hello, great photos and review. Were you able to get on and off le peitit train? Did they drop you off back where they started and were there lots of cafes to eat in the area. We will be there in Oct. with rccl thanks Joanna

[daliflor]

Hello, great photos and review.

Were you able to get on and off le peitit train?

Did they drop you off back where they started and were there lots of cafes to eat in the area.

We will be there in Oct. with rccl thanks Joanna

 

Thank you kindly for the feedback; more photos will be posted soon (as we're now half way through the 45 min ride on Le Petit train de Toulon).

 

Yes, the tourist train picks you up and drops you off on the same spot, by Square Germain Nouveau, on the Quai Kronstadt where there are several cafes (some more cafes and restaurants can be found close by, on Avenue de la Republique too).

 

No, the little train is not similar to the hop in/off tourist bus... This is a straight, slow, pleasant 45 minutes ride and you do not get off and back on along the way.

[daliflor]

Le Petit Train de Toulon - Circuit 1 (Mourillon) took us to Port St. Louis.

 

Note that the recorded commentaries on this tourist train are in both French and English.

 

Along the 45 min ride, you may also hear few comments in German, Italian or Spanish, as well as

traditional French songs that makes this pleasant ride entertaining too!

 

 

Port St. Louis - Toulon, France (June 4th 2010)

 

 

Port St. Louis - Toulon, France (June 4th 2010)

 

 

Port St. Louis - Toulon, France (June 4th 2010)

 

 

Port St. Louis - Toulon, France (June 4th 2010)

 

 

Port St. Louis - Toulon, France (June 4th 2010)

 

[daliflor]

Le Petit Train de Toulon - Circuit 1 (Mourillon) took us to Port St. Louis and also Fort St. Louis.

 

Mourillon has a small fishing port, next to a 16th-century fort, Fort Saint Louis, which was reconstructed by Vauban.

 

 

Port St. Louis - Toulon, France (June 4th 2010)

 

 

Fort St. Louis - Toulon, France (June 4th 2010)

 

 

Corniche du Mourillon - Toulon, France (June 4th 2010)

 

 

 

[daliflor]

Our 45 minutes ride (6.00€/adult), on Le Petit Train de Toulon - Circuit 1 (Mourillon) continued in the area called Corniche du Mourillon.

 

Note that the commentaries on this tourist train are in both French and English.

 

Along the 45 min ride, you may also hear few comments in German, Italian or Spanish, as well as

traditional French songs that makes this pleasant ride entertaining too!

 

 

In the 1970s the city of Toulon built a series of sheltered sandy beaches in Mourillon, which today are very popular with the Toulonais and with naval families.

 

 

 

 

 

[daliflor]

The ride on Le Petit Train de Toulon - Circuit 1 (Mourillon) continued in Corniche du Mourillon

as we passed by the Fort St. Louis.

 

 

Corniche du Mourillon - Toulon, France (June 4th 2010)

 

 

Corniche du Mourillon - Toulon, France (June 4th 2010)

 

 

Corniche du Mourillon - Toulon, France (June 4th 2010)

 

 

Corniche du Mourillon - Toulon, France (June 4th 2010)

 

 

Fort St. Louis was built during the reign of Louis XIV (1692-1699).

The project to erect a building capable of defending the entrance to the harbor of Toulon was entrusted to Antoine Niquet, chief engineer of the fortifications, and reflects the determination to strengthen and expand the city's arsenal. Pierre Puget and Vauban are associated with this work which changed dramatically and permanently the face of Toulon.

 

 

Enrolled in the inventory of historic monuments as of November 29, 1948, the fort is now used by the Navy Yacht Club.

 

The Museum of Asian Art is located in a house on the waterfront near Fort St. Louis.

[daliflor]

Le Petit Train de Toulon - Circuit 1 (Mourillon) remained in the beaches area of Le Mourillon.

 

In the 70s, the city of Toulon built a series of sheltered sandy beaches in Mourillon, which today

are very popular with the Toulonais and with naval families.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can get off the tourist train by the beach area and return to Toulon using the local bus

(or you can get to the beaches of Mourillon on the bus from Toulon; the bus ticket is only 1.40€/pax and you can pay the bus driver directly)

[daliflor]

Le Petit Train de Toulon - Circuit 1 (Mourillon) remained in the beaches area of Le Mourillon.

 

 

 

 

The city of Toulon built a series of sheltered sandy beaches in Mourillon,

now very popular with the locals and tourists.